Sunday, January 3, 2016

It's a wrap!

It's the end of the year as we know it...

It's time to take down all the holiday decorations and get back to my regularly scheduled life. But first, I've got a few loose ends to tie up here on the blog. The Weekly Wrap, hosted by Tricia and Holly, is the perfect place to do it! You may want to check out what everyone else is posting and while you are there, wish Tricia and Holly good luck on the WDW Marathon, happening next weekend!



So let's get this party started! First things first, a few leftovers from 2015:

I did a data dump with my Garmin and found all kinds of fun statistics. I'm kind of a numbers geek. My Forerunner 10 gave me a surprisingly large amount of interesting (at least to me) data. I've summed it all up in this fun infographic:


This week I received a few reminders of some awesome events I participated in this fall.

My official Chicago Marathon participation certificate arrived:

In case there was any doubt.
I also received some photos from the Underground Polar Express run that I participated in a few weeks ago. A fun day with friends, it was a great event for a good cause. I'll be back. So fun.

Me, Marcia, and Sara

Never one to miss a photog! But check out the shirtless guy behind us. Really? In December? At a Santa run?
This past week, I hit my final goal for 2015, that #RunThisYear goal of 2015 kms/1252 miles that I set for myself one year ago. That is my highest yearly mileage ever, and this was my first year ever that I didn't miss any time on the road for injury. I am thrilled with that, and I need to give credit to my coach Becky, who has worked hard with me to strengthen and balance my glutes, hips, and hamstrings. She also developed a marathon training plan for me which was tough, but effective. Low miles, lots of cross training, and plenty of mental toughness sprinkled in.


As promised, after this run, I hung up my running shoes to devote some time to recovery. Hoping my hiatus will be brief. But I need to get this PF under control. My love/hate relationship with my faux Strassburg sock continues. Got heel lifts? Downward dogs? Compression sleeve? Foot strengthening? Did you even know this was a thing? According to this article, it is THE thing for PF.

So yes, I'm doing those heel lifts. What else can I do?

The first thing I did was treat my feet to a pedicure on New Year's Eve. Afterwards, I slipped on my new Oofos sandals, which I won from Kim at Kooky Runner. I think I'm in love. Let's just say these flip flops are my new favorite thing! Have you tried them yet?

It's all about the pretty toes...and the super comfy shoes!
I also went to see Becky for my weekly workout--she had me doing more cleans, front squats, and deadlifts. Since she's a corrective exercise specialist as well as an endurance coach, I asked her for any advice she could give me that I wasn't yet doing for my foot. She talked with me about doing some arch rolling on the lacrosse ball as soon as I get up in the morning, before I even stand up.

Since Becky was on board with my plan to take some time off running, I was able to leave the CrossFit box with a bike trainer to use for the winter. Can you say win?

Thanks to YouTube, I rode for an hour on Saturday through the Italian countryside and on Sunday, I rode along the beach and up a mountain. I'll be sharing more about indoor bike training in a separate post, but let's just say it is a worthy successor to the treadmill. Equally as boring and tough. I wore my heart rate monitor to make sure I was getting a decent workout, and I stayed in "the zone". Oooh, the pain! The sweat! My husband had to turn on the ceiling fan. I chugged my Nuun hydration throughout.


Completely non-running related but worth a mention: I went to see the movie Sisters with my sister Lisa. We had heard that the movie had received mixed reviews. But it's Tina Fey and Amy Pohler! We both thought it was hilarious. In fact, we laughed so hard we cried. If you liked Bridesmaids, you'll like this one. There are so many one-liners that I can't remember them all.

We decided that we need to up our dance game. Not that we ever had one...

What did you do this week? Ready to go back to reality? Seen any good movies (besides Star Wars?)




115 comments :

  1. You've had a great year! Hope your foot calms down soon. I'll definitely have to check out that movie! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My foot likes not running, but there's still some pain at the heel attachment. We'll see how it's feeling as the week goes on.

      Delete
  2. Best part of your year? Meeting me, obviously :D I hope I get to run with you this year! Either way, we'll share a beer or two (or three).

    ReplyDelete
  3. Congrats on a fantastic year. I love your graphic of your running stats, very cool Wendy. I think the racing certificates are a fun way to keep track of your special races. I treasure my Boston one and have it framed on my dresser! Oofos are amazing flip flops and you will probably become addicted to them. My obsession has caused me to buy quite a few pair since reviewing them on our blog last year. Hopefully your foot is back feeling great very soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm loving the Oofos but my foot isn't caring whether I run or not. Sigh.

      Delete
  4. You looked freaking adorable at the Polar Express event! Not kidding. Those photographs are priceless. Killer smile. Love it.

    Um, I need the ceiling fan even if I merely walk two miles on the treadmill. An hour bike ride? Wow! Thank goodness for the lovely views. Thinking of you each day and sending good vibes that your p/f is resolved very fast for a long, long time.

    Congratulations on nailing all your goals, and on exceeding many of them. What a year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was quite a year. And this one, well, starting off on the wrong foot, I fear! Hopefully after a few more days of rest this thing will calm down.

      Thanks as always for all your support!

      Delete
  5. So happy to see you enjoying the Oofos! :)
    I love your race photos from the Underground Polar Express race - it looks like you had a blast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That race is such a great event. My friend Karen is the organizer, and she needs to feel awesome about it!

      Delete
  6. You can really drop a lot of sweat on those trainer rides. I do my weekday rides indoors this time of year but try to get the long rides done outside when at all possible. You had a great year! Cool how much data the Garmin gives you. I had a Strava year in review and was amazed to see almost 4000 miles biked, especially considering Mountain biking miles take a lot longer to log than road miles. Don't know about running since I don't log my treadmill workouts, which is a large portion of my workouts in the dark months of the year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. 4000 miles in one year is impressive! Holy wow! And yes, I didn't realize how much I would sweat. I'm also very sore! This is probably another good reason to ride. New muscles being trained.

      Delete
  7. The Year of Wendy! Well, until this one, I'm sure.:D And seriously, I never ever thought to go to YouTube for cycling courses. Like ever. Thank you for that and so much more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Idk about 2016...hoping that I can kick this PF to the curb so I can start on Wendy v2.0! LOL!

      Delete
  8. Woo, reality! Not ready for it! I saw Sisters and Star Wars over the holiday break. Enjoyed them both... probably Sisters more though!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've been trying to get back into a workout routine this week, and trying to get the house a little more organized before we head back to work tomorrow. I'm back to a training plan (for a half in March) starting tomorrow too. Gotta get my speed back, I've been lazy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a half in March that I need to do some training for. Heat training that is...

      Where's your half?

      Delete
  10. I saw Sisters....the first movie I've seen in a theater in a long time. I saw it with 3 girlfriends and while we all thought it was funny and did laugh at lot, we also all expected it to be better with Tina and Amy involved..... I laughed 10 times more in bridesmaids and have seen it more than once....I would not see Sister's again.....
    All the Stats are cool..... You know I'm a numbers girl, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We could really relate to the whole sister and high school thing and I think that's why we laughed so hard. Plus we had no expectations for this movie. Sometimes that's the best way to go!

      Delete
  11. It's hot on a bike trainer and the saddle feels more uncomfortable than on a real ride. I'm having trouble getting my HR up where it would be on a real ride too. But, I still like it. It beats riding in sub 40 temps with wind. I need to try YouTube. Thanks for that tip. I watched a movie on my longest ride. It helped with the boredom. I hope your foot feels better soon. I can sympathize. It sucks. I want to see Sisters with my sister but I'll have to wait a while. Oh, the decorations? Still up. I finally have time to enjoy them. Thanks for linking with us Wendy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I liked the YouTube vids because they actually forced me to push myself. If I just watched a movie, I would just pedal and not be engaged at all. It was still boring but it was a challenge!

      i felt that way about the decorations too. I spent so much time stressing and getting ready for Christmas. Now it's all over and I didn't get a lot of time to enjoy...

      Delete
  12. Oh, thanks for reminding me about holiday decorations needing to come down. It feels like I just put them up! Congrats on a great 2015! Hope all the work you're doing to get rid of PF helps & it goes away soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree with you about the decorations. I wasn't ready for them to come down. I was so stressed before Christmas and now it feels like I just get to enjoy them. But I was ready to get my house back.

      Delete
  13. I have noticed the same thing about my PF--one day it's killing me and the next day is fine. Hmm.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Have you tried trainer road for bike trainer? I just got a trainer road subscription and looking to try it out. I've been told that it's awesome

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have not! I've also been told about Zwift? I feel like I've entered a whole new realm!

      Delete
  15. Congrats on meeting your mileage goal! That's quite an accomplishment! I look forward to your indoor cycling posts. I want to ride more this year. I haven't seen Star Wars yet. It's not really my thing. I did go see Daddy's Home w/ Will Farrell and Mark Wahlberg over the break. It was pretty funny!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Star Wars isn't really my thing either...glad to know I'm not the only one!

      Delete
  16. Love the shot of you on the trainer and cannot wait to hear more. I have been on mine A LOT and oh man is it ever boring!!...but necessary.
    And I too absolutely LOVE my OOFAS flips. The best ever.
    Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've been getting a lot of suggestions on how to liven up the ride. Really, I only think that's going to happen if I can get outside...

      Delete
  17. What a fantastic year of running! I got Oofos for Christmas and have been wearing them around the house even though by toes are way overdo for a pedicure! Love them.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hope the foot is all all better soon. Maybe it needs to see the will Ferrell movie?:-)

    ReplyDelete
  19. I wish I could see Sisters with my sister but she's across the country in CA. I heard it's super funny! :)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Like you, I think I had my highest mileage -- really not sure, though, because in part of 2014 I was running much higher weekly mileage, but I was sick more often, injured, so I'm not really sure. Taking much better notes now! And I ended uninjured. Which is the best.

    Haven't tried Oofos yet, but I hear nothing but good things about them.

    You make such a cute elf!

    We ordered a exercise bike for me, which should be here wed. Just for some cross training, since as you know I don't bike. I've wanted one for quite some time and they had a good deal on new year's.

    The Danish Girl was very good (but sad); hoping to maybe see Joy this week.

    Here's to an injury free 2016 with more PRs & PBs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I heard Joy is really good. I need to see that.

      Hoping for an injury free year for both of us!

      Delete
  21. I really want to see Sisters. Like you said it Amy and Tina! Sadly my sister is in Texas, so I'll have to take my husband :-). PF can be a bitch to get rid of. Years ago (in my multi-marathon days), I went as far as cortisone shots, in addition to all that you mention above, and still didn't heal until I hurt my knee and had to take a lot of time off running. Look into Fascial Stretch Therapy. We've had some success using FST for plantar fasciitis.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm going to see someone about ART (which I think is like FST). Enough is enough.

      Delete
  22. Love the infographic, congrats on a great year, injury free! I look forward to hearing about you and the bike trainer. Glad you're resting your foot a bit. My arches have been bothering me a bit in my newest pair of shoes, so I'm trying to be aggressive about rolling my feet and stretching my calves.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Love the infographic and cheers to a wonderful year! I just read a thing about PF and it talked about addressing the "cause" instead of the symptoms. According to this, tight calves are the cause. Because I know you need more info on this, wink, wink.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Congrats on all of your success in the past year! Happy New Year and best wishes to you and your family :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I need to get a pair of Oofos. Then we can be twins, with our plantar sleeves and fancy flip flops! It's amazing that such a small injury can cause so much chaos.

    It was a pretty nice week: New Year's and Mr PugRunner's birthday. We got him a bike and now I'm kind of thinking I want one, too. I am currently using my stepdad's hand-me-down beach cruiser and I just stumbled upon a duathlon that I think I want to try. Sometimes, I don't even recognize myself.

    Happy New Year, Wendy!

    ReplyDelete
  26. You had such an awesome running year! Congrats on all your accomplishments! I saw sisters, too and was dying! Too funny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. John Cena was a riot in that movie, wasn't he? He was funny in Trainwrecked too.

      Delete
  27. I really need to know where I can get those flip flops. Mine are ready to toss right now. Happy New Year! Congrats on the 2015 stats!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think you can order them from the company's website! I love them.

      Delete
  28. That movie looks hilarious! You had such an awesome running year! That graphic you made is really cool too! A pedicure and the right pair of flip flops goes a long way down here, I think you are supposed to be a Florida girl! Cheers to a fun 2016!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really do believe I am a Florida girl. Now if I could convince my husband...

      Delete
  29. It looks like you had a great year! I'm digging that nail color :) I am being thrown head first into reality this morning, as it is now officially tax season for me (I'm a CPA). Might as well embrace it I guess! Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm all about dark blue and purple these days! Good for winter, anyways..

      Delete
  30. Such an awesome year for you in so many ways! Congrats to hitting your mileage goal! I bought a pair of Oofos this summer and can't get enough of them, I'm obsessed and wear them everywhere. I used to wear my Reef's everywhere, but no longer. Those will be reserved for the pool and that is all, my feet feel so much better now! I'm so excited for you and what's to come this year! I'm hoping that I can focus on strength this year and make huge strides like you did!! Oh and you looked adorable at the Underground Polar Express! And I am dying to see Sisters, I've heard so many great things about it!! I need to get a really good laugh in!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Love the infographic! You had an awesome year! Can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for you. Sisters sounds like a fun movie! I will have to check it out when my sis comes to visit!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wendy, you had such an amazing year!! You should be proud :)

    ReplyDelete
  33. You really did have an amazing year of running! Here's to staying injury free and good feeling feet in 2016

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks so much for the shout out for Holly and I! I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!
    I have heard about these Oofos shoes! I really need to try and see if I can find some to take this week. Be good after my run to put them on. Should be warm enough down there! I can't wait to read about your Big Sur run too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am so excited for the two of you! I wish I was going to be there to cheer you both on!!!

      Delete
  35. LOVE your outfit for the polar run! Super festive!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Congrats on 2015 kms! Great infographic! Way to go on the bike! Hope you have an even better 2016!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope to have a great year...but this foot has to calm down!

      Delete
  37. PF is just the worst, isn't it? I hope you can cure yours; and if you do, I will have to test out that foot strengthening thing for mine.

    I'm glad to hear you loved Sisters - I have been wanting to see it because Tina and Amy are MY GIRLS!!!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh that trainer is going to keep you in tip top shape and give your PF time to calm down. I love Tina and Amy but the preview for that movie did not make me laugh at all. But I loved bridesmaids! Maybe I will wait until I can rent it at home.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't say that it will appeal to everyone. But my sister and I loved it!

      Delete
  39. Yay I love PiktoChart. Congrats on an amazing year - much to be proud of. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Ooooh, love the nail color on your new pedi! Those shoes look super comfortable, too. Interesting to hear about Sisters - like you, I've heard very mixed reviews but I do love Tina Fey and Amy Poehler! I wish you the speediest of recoveries from your PF!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm all about navy blue and dark purple this winter. Hmmm.....

      Delete
  41. Congrats on such an awesome year, especially hitting your mileage goal! I really want to see Sisters. The only movie I've seen in theaters this holiday season is Star Wars, and my husband and I saw it twice because we're such geeks. I hope your PF heals well! I had to do a lot of foot strengthening exercises years ago when I was in PT for ankle problems, and they really do help.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Great year of running! I hope the time off and exercises help your PF. I keep hearing about those Oofos - must check them out! Haven't seen Sisters yet, but I really want to - Amy Pohler and Tina Fey crack me up ;)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I really like the Oofos! It would be even better if it were warm enough that I could wear them outside!

      Delete
  43. Wendy, love your running stats and congrats on a great year! I am also debating taking some time off from running bc my PF is acting up too...I have tried wrapping, ice, stretching, and the lacrosse ball rolling...def up for any new suggestions!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry that PF is affecting you too! It's so annoying! I'm hoping that a week off will let it calm down.

      Delete
  44. Oh I love that infographic! Informative and motivating :)

    ReplyDelete
  45. I LOVE my OOFOS!!! They arrived at the perfect time for me (a couple months ago). It's too cold to wear them outside (except for last week, when I was in Cali!!), but I wear them inside a lot. My PF is pretty much non-existent these days (no complaints), but I can tell when it's on the verge of having attitude, so I do a lot of massaging and rolling, too. You seriously hauled azz with all of your fitness in 2015!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I now know what all the fuss is about...those Oofos are amazing!

      Here's to a destination race in Iowa this year...

      Delete
  46. Great race pictures ! Hope you get that PF under control !
    Judos to you for the bike trainer. I am not a fan of the dread mill, even less so for a bike....

    ReplyDelete
  47. Great year Wendy and congrats on hitting your goal of 2015km! although sorry you are having to deal with the dreaded PF. I hope that gets under control soon and you can hit it hard again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hope your foot starts behaving soon! Thankfully, PF is the one thing I have yet to experience as a runner. Well, that and a stress fracture.

    Congrats on the 2015K goal! And nice average pace. I'm more than a little jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  49. You're constantly amazing me! My goal is to hit your mile per minute time!

    ReplyDelete
  50. We don't go to the movies...not really sure why. We wait for everything to come on DVD or Netflix.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love going to the movies, but I don't go as often as I'd like!

      Delete
  51. Awesome year Wendy! A year in running are my favorite wrap up posts.

    ReplyDelete
  52. I have seen the preview for the sisters movie, but was wondering if it was one of those that only show the funny things in the preview and when you get there the rest is boring. Glad to know that is not the case, I will have to check it out!
    That is awesome your Marathon certificate came, I love that there are still a few races that send those, most marathons now just have you go online to print them. Great time on it by the way!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. I love that infographic! It definitely sums up a great year for you. I hope that a little break from running helps your PF to heal quickly. I am definitely intrigued by those sandals- thats awesome that you won a pair!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The PF is feeling better but isn't recovering as quickly as I'd like. We'll see how a couple more days off will do.

      Delete
  54. Happy 2016! Ugh PF! I had it 5 years ago. You could try freezin water in a bottle and rolling your foot over the frozen water bottle. Calf, and soleus stretches are also good along with the foot strengthening (inversion, eversion exercises with a towel etc.), good luck I hope it heals soon!

    ReplyDelete
  55. Love your infographic! I'd plan to do one after seeing Meagan's (Turkey Runner) last year, but never got around to doing it. They're run!

    Here's to a healthy and fit 2016!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had all this data and nothing to do with it, so what the heck, right?

      Delete
  56. wow over 200 days running? that's awesome! I'm considering doing a run streak (or trying) just to try to get more days of runnign in but kinda nervous about the commitment lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't do a run streak...besides my feet issues, I couldn't make it work with my schedule! But I run 4 days/week and was able to get all those days in last year!

      Delete
  57. Fantastic! How did you do the graphic with the stats? Would love to do one for me too.

    I have not tried the sandals but they do look comfortable.

    Hopefully this year I can join you ladies for the Underground Polar Express Run. That looks so fun.

    I saw "Alvin and the Chipmunks" with my nephew. Cute and funny movie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a website, Piktochart, where you can make your own. It wasn't too hard at all!

      Delete